Round 3 was once again held in dry and sunny conditions. The course started out as a bit of a mixed bag though with some trails very smooth dry and fast. Some sections though were very rutted from the last race and they had dried like concrete and were quite difficult to ride in practice. The tops soon got knocked off though and a race line quickly developed. Some of the largest puddles though had not completely dried out and started out as a slimy layer of mud but quickly turned into a muddy porridge. Most could be avoided and there was only one that you really had no choice but to ride through.
The racing was fun though and the standards high as usual . Ben Sumner (Beeline) riding with a hangover won the Elite race yet again but was chased a little harder today by team mate and newly crowned Vets National Champion Lewis King. Chris Minter (Pedal On) held on for 3rd place once again.
Dave Wadsworth made it three in a row in the Vets race but was chased all the way by Daran Blackwell who was trying out a 29er today and giving Dave something to chase on the open sections.
Rob Jackson led from the start and took another win in the Grand Vets and didn't have Anthony Dyment to trouble him this time. Although a certain roving marshal got him worried when a yellow jersey cruised up behind him when he had eased off for a bit but it made sure he got back on the pace.
Jason Painton took an easy win in the Masters after sitting out the muddy round he might have jeopardised his chances for the overall.
Full results have be posted here and the series points will be up soon. The series will be decided on best 3 of 4 rounds as we have had a couple of very muddy races and these last 2 rounds fall right in the holiday season so many of our regulars will not be able to do all 4 rounds.